The Travel Connection

The Ancient Greeks knew how to choose a site for a temple. At Cape Sounion, 70km south of Athens, the Temple of Poseidon stands on a craggy spur that plunges 65m to the sea. Built in 444 BC – same year as the Parthenon – of marble from nearby Agrilesa, it is a vision of gleaming white columns. Sailors in ancient times knew they were nearly home when they saw the first glimpse of white; views from the temple are equally impressive. It is thought that the temple was built by Iktinos, the architect of the Temple of Hephaistos in Athens' Ancient Agora. Sixteen of the slender Doric columns remain. The site also contains scant remains of a propylaeum, a fortified tower and, on a lower hill to the northeast, a 6th-century temple to Athena. Source: Lonely planet A can't-miss on two counts: Temple of Olympian Zeus , a marvellous temple, once the largest in Greece, and it's smack in the centre of Athens. Of the temple's 104 original Corinthian colum...

Why museums??? I am always happier when I spend money on experiences rather than material purchases. Museums provide me a positive personal reinterpretations over time. Museums engage and educate at the same time. And the world's best museums engage you instantaneously. For me the American Natural History Museum was the turning point and that dragged me into the world of museums.This place turned the non believer into a believer me. Museums like Musée d'Orsay, Paris inspired me and made me fall in love with impressionist master pieces. The kid in me came alive at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC. A step back in time was literally possible at a Museum like Museum of Cycladic art, Athens. I love to slow down, decomplicate and enrich myself and for this museums matter.  I am so glad history is alive!!! Sharing 3 things that I loved at each of the 3 Museums I visited in Athens. And i am sure you can guess my favorite one by the end of the blog. ...

The best way to explore a place is on foot and by local transport. This explorer in me has led to many adventures and memories. So I left my shopaholic group behind and explored the areas around acropolis on my own. I started from temple of Olympian Zeus and with a map in hand , walked along with my instincts. The street of Lisikratous and other streets leading to Agora are narrow and  flanked by 2/3 storey buildings.I followed  the foothills of east side of the Acropolis hill. The  Byzantine architecture is prominent as I walked along these streets.  Athens seems to have flourished during the Middle Byzantine Era, with a large number of churches being built. This building activity reached its peak during the 11th and the 12th century around Attica. The lack of time meant that I could only capture these pieces  of art from outside and carry on my walk towards ancient Agora after a brief stop at Roman Agora.  Agios Nicholas Rangavas Church- 11th ...